QOTW: January 9, 2009

“Mommy, it’s fun loving Clare.”Anna-Laura commenting on just how great it is to have a sister to love. Amen.

“Tommorow, you read me a book and pray with me. Got it, Mom?”John Paul, on his way to bed last night.

“I don’t like you anymore.”Will in response to my making him pick up his toys. I am a mean, mean Mom.

“BAA!”Clare-ese for “boo” as she poked her head around the office door to scare me. 18-month-olds crack me up, especially when they’re mine.

It will be a bittersweet weekend, full of highs and lows. Will has his first basketball game on Saturday, which I can hardly wait for…he just looks so handsome in that uniform. Later that day, we’ll attend little Rose’s burial. (what you don’t see is that I just paused for like 2 minutes, because I’m just at a loss) Is it possible to feel two things at once? Awe of the afterlife/Anger at reality? Peace as another angel flies home/Frustration that a Mom grieves so deeply? I suppose so. A wise friend recently told me that the rawness of loss never really goes away. We just learn that God still gives us life, thus, we live for Him.

Make it a great weekend all. I’ll get those happy Christmas pics up soon. They really do capture the joy we just experienced. Man, I love my kids. And my husband. And the 5 of you that read this 🙂

7 Comments

I think it’s okay to feel angry and comfortable that little Rose is in Jesus’ arms. My mother-in-law told us (when she was still on this earth with us) that while we all have one angel (that’s what she believed) babies and children have several angels holding them ALL the time. They never get put down. They are in angels arms all the time. Okay, that’s what I believe because now that I have kids, I have to believe something wonderful happens.

Hey Kathryn – I had to chuckle when I read Will’s quote – because I’ve heard that one before. Uh. I think it was just yesterday when Claire said, “I don’t like you mommy.” And I was like, “there are times I don’t like you very well either!” That was after a frustrating morning full of tantrums, meltdowns and many losses of priviledges. Ah… I will be thinking of you guys this weekend… Hang in there – and know I’m hugging you in my heart. Enjoy the sweet moments with your kiddos – and know that you are a real encouragement to your friends as well!

Loving your family and your life is a real testimony to Rose’s life. Her departure makes us all hang on a little tighter, and we really have to thank her and God for that gift. But it is a tragedy, and I think God understands all the complex feelings that go along with something like this…especially profound grief and anger. Hey, if you can’t get mad at the ones you love then who can you get mad at? You are a wonderful person, Kathryn, full of faith and love. Your friends are very fortunate to have you in their lives…all of us. We are sending our loving thoughts and prayers to the Kerner family.

Well…Imagine my surprise! That Texas A&M people can actually read and write!What a great picture of the family.You two keep it up and you'll catch up to the Forbes family?Please say hello to the lovely lady in the office at St Theresa.Tell my lovely daughter we are still hoping she sends her troops to St Theresa… Please say hello to that very good man of yours. Hug the children and ask them to be cool?The Forbes family in Washington

... and welcome to life at Team Whitaker where I share life as it happens: big families, carpool, Catholicism,Texas Aggies, prematurity, DIY/organizing projects, sanity checks and the occasional glass of wine at 10am. You get real Kathryn. Unedited, honest and a little sassy. It's a Texas-sized honor to have you here! Contact me at [email protected]